Proverbs 21:6 Meaning and Explanation
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Wealth gained through deception is unstable and leads toward destruction.
The Context of Proverbs 21:6
Dishonest wealth is inherently unstable and self-destructive.
What Does Proverbs 21:6 Mean?
Lying to gain riches may produce temporary gain, but it is hollow and precarious—'vanity tossed to and fro,' like waves that cannot be grasped or held. The person who builds wealth through dishonesty has built on sand, and what winds blow away easily can be lost just as easily.
More profoundly, seeking gain through deception reveals a death-bent trajectory. Such a person pursues destructive paths, not realizing that dishonest wealth-seeking is itself a form of self-destruction. The outcome is loss, shame, and ruin.
Proverbs 21:6 in the Original Language
levaz (לְוָז), 'vanity' — emptiness or falsehood; what cannot be held or relied upon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 21:6
What does Proverbs 21:6 mean?
Wealth gained through deception is unstable and leads toward destruction.
What is the context of Proverbs 21:6?
Dishonest wealth is inherently unstable and self-destructive.